Patent GB-190415137-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in connection with Closing Devices for Gas Retorts.
Inventor: JOHNSON JAMES YATE
Filed: 1904-07-06
Granted: 1905-04-20
Abstract: 15,137. Johnson, J. Y., [Dessauer Vertikal- Ofen Ges.]. July 6. Gas retorts.-Relates to closing-devices for vertical, inclined, and horizontal gas retorts, and is applicable to any form of lid which turns on hinges. Fig. 1 shows the construction as seen from below. The lower end of a gas retort is supported on a cast-iron plate and provided with a lid c hinged to a forked lever d. The ends of the lever extend over the edges of the lid, two being rigidly connected to the shaft g mounted in bearings f fixed to the cast-iron plate. The opposite end d can be engaged with a hinged catch e. To the shaft g is rigidly fixed a toothed wheel in gear with a loose pinion m, which is carried on a driving- shaft at one side of the bench of retorts, and can be rotated with this shaft by means of a sliding clutch l. The catch e which retains the lid in a closed position turns on eccentrics 0, O<1> on a shaft n provided with a lever. On turning the lever in one direction, the catch e passes over the end of the lever d and is tightly forced by the eccentric action. If the shaft n is turned to release the lid, a pin q comes in contact with a projection p on the catch e and forces it from the end of the lever d, the eccentrics being at the same time turned to release the pressure. The lid then falls by its weight, or, in the case of a horizontal retort, the shaft g can be turned in the reverse direction to that for closing. A ratchet or friction wheel A on the shaft g is provided to prevent the lid from springing when opened. The lid c has a hollow chamber on the interior to prevent undue radiation and to fill the end of the retort outside the firing zone. The lids of several parallel rows can be operated from the main shaft if the necessary clutches and pinions are provided. Or, a shaft to which the lids of two adjacent retorts are connected may be provided with clutches arranged to be moved in and out of gear with a loose wheel rotated by a rack operated by a crank on a shaft with a handle. The working of the device is as follows :-To open the lid c, the shaft n is rotated by the lever s in the necessary direction. The eccentrics 0, O<1>, move thereby raising the catch e; the arm q then engages the pin p, the catch e is forced off the end of the lever, and the lid falls when a detent is removed from the wheel A. The detent is replaced to prevent swinging. To close the lid, the clutch l on the driving-shaft is thrown into gear with the wheel m, the detent being disengaged. The driving- shaft and consequently the shaft g, is rotated by a hand-wheel, until the lid is closed ; the eccentric shaft n is then turned to bring the catch e over and tighten the lid. In a modification, applied to two parallel rows of retorts, the operation is effected by a rack gearing with loose spur-wheels capable of being coupled by clutches with the shafts g. The rack is operated by a handle on a crank shaft, a crank on this being connected by a link to the rack. A counterweight is provided to partly balance the weight of the lids. The clutches may be thrown in or out of gear by hand, or they may all be operated from a central point. For this purpose, the clutch levers are controlled by cams arranged at suitable intervals on a side shaft which can be moved longitudinally and fixed by a latch engaging in annular grooves, so that only one cam at a time is in position for operating clutch levers. By turning the shaft, one or other of a pair of clutches is thrown into gear against the counter action of a spring. To empty a retort, the shaft is moved so that the cam of the clutches to be operated comes into position. It is then rotated to couple the shaft g with the loose toothed wheel, and consequently with the rack. The locking- device e of the lid c is released as before described, and the lid is opened by turning the shaft operating the rack. The counterweight is arranged to balance the lid when open and to prevent it swinging. To close the lid, the lever actuating the rack is turned in the opposite direction, and the counterweight exerts pressure to maintain the lid in the closed position so that the operator can release the lever and operate the eccentric locking- device. The clutch coupling is thereupon thrown out of gear by turning the cam backwards, the spring pulling back the clutch levers to their original position. In this way, any retort lid can be connected with the rack.